Delays — Time to Check Your Conscience …

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Delays — Time to Check Your Conscience …

Delays — Time to Check Your Conscience …

Received from a frustrated traveler. Editor

I sat in my seat on the Boeing 767 waiting for everyone to hurry and stow their carry-ons and to grab a seat so we could start what I was sure would be a long, uneventful flight home. With the huge capacity and slow-moving people taking their time to stuff luggage far too big for the overhead and never paying much attention to holding up the growing line behind them, I simply shook my head, knowing that this flight was not starting out very well.
I was anxious to get home, so I was focused on “my” issues, and I just felt like standing up and yelling for some of these clowns to get their act together. I knew I couldn’t say a word, so I just thumbed through the Sky Mall magazine from the seat pocket in front of me. You know it’s really getting rough when you resort to the overpriced, useless Sky Mall crap to break the monotony. With everyone finally seated, we just sat there with the cabin door open and no one in any hurry to get us going, although we were well past the scheduled takeoff time. No wonder the airline industry is in trouble, I told myself.
Just then, the flight attendant came on the intercom to inform us that we were being delayed. The entire plane let out a collective groan. She resumed speaking, saying: “We are holding the aircraft for some very special people who are on their way to the plane, and the delay shouldn’t be more than five minutes.” The announcement came after waiting six times longer than “I” was promised that “I” was finally going to be on “my” way home. Why the hoopla over “these” folks? I was expecting some celebrity or sport figure to be the reason for the holdup. … Just get their butts in a seat and let’s hit the gas, I thought.
The attendant came back on the speaker to announce in a loud and excited voice that we were being joined by several U.S. Marines returning home from Iraq!!! Just as they walked onboard, the entire plane erupted into applause. The men were a bit taken by surprise by the 340 people cheering for them as they searched for their seats. They were having their hands shaken and were touched by almost everyone who was within arm’s distance of them as they passed down the aisle. One elderly woman kissed the hand of one Marine as he passed by her. The applause, whistles and cheering didn’t stop for a long time. When we were finally airborne, “I” was not the only civilian checking his conscience as to the delays in “my” getting home, finding “my” easy chair, a cold beverage and the remote in “my” hand.
These men had done for all of us, and I had been complaining silently about “my” issues. I had been taking for granted the everyday freedoms I enjoy and the conveniences of the American way of life, while others paid the price for my ability to moan and complain about a few minutes’ delay to “me” caused by those heroes going home to their loved ones.
I attempted to get my selfish outlook back in order, and minutes before we landed, I suggested to the attendant that she announce over the speaker a request for everyone to remain in their seats until our heroes were allowed to gather their things and be first off the plane. The cheers and applause continued until the last Marine stepped off, and we all rose to go about our too often taken for granted everyday freedoms.
I felt proud of them. I felt it an honor and a privilege to be among the first to welcome them home and to say “thank you” for a job well done. I vowed that I would never forget that flight nor the lesson learned. I can’t say it enough: THANK YOU to those veterans and active servicemen and women who may read this and a prayer for those who cannot because they are no longer with us.
GOD BLESS AMERICA!
WELCOME HOME! AND THANKS FOR A JOB WELL DONE!!!!!

Article contributed by the Parking PT team.
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